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- Tasks: Provide legal services on commercial matters and supervise senior lawyers.
- Company: Join one of the largest legal practices in Kirklees, making a difference locally.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28.5 days leave, hybrid working, and exceptional family leave policies.
- Why this job: Develop your legal skills while impacting high-profile local projects.
- Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor or Barrister with experience in Commercial Contracts and Public Procurement law.
- Other info: Strong emphasis on training and personal development for ambitious candidates.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Do you want to make a difference to local people? As one of the largest legal practices in the area, our dedicated Legal Service teams strive to get the best outcomes for people in Kirklees. The Contracts and Commercial Team are one of the specialist teams within Kirklees Legal Services. Working closely with the Council's procurement team, provide legal services on a wide range of commercial matters including drafting and advising on contracts, grant agreements and the like. This includes working on high value, high profile and prestigious projects.
As part of this role you will play a key role in ensuring robust governance and delivering high quality legal advice. You will be expected to have your own complex caseload on matters including local government law and procedure, contracts (including ICT and construction), public procurement, PFI Academy transfers and expiry, TUPE, waste management and other commercial/partnership work, with the ability and experience of drafting complex documentation to support Local Authority projects. You will also supervise other senior lawyers in the team. This is a great opportunity to develop both your technical and your leadership skills. We are looking for someone with a positive approach who enjoys working as part of a team. You will be supported by our Senior Lawyers and Business Support team.
If you are ambitious to develop your skills and knowledge in legal services and want to know more about the legal issues that affect local authorities - this is the role for you. We put a strong emphasis on training and personal development and want to support you to be the best you can be.
You will be a qualified Solicitor (or Barrister) holding a current practising certificate, or you will be a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives. Do you have any experience in the following areas? We are looking for someone with experience in Commercial Contracts and UK Public Procurement law and at least two of the following areas, but experience in more than two areas would be beneficial:
- Local Government Law and Procedure (including Information law and practice)
- Company Law/Joint Ventures/Partnerships
- PPP's/ PFI/Academy Conversions
- Other commercial law not covered above (i.e. TUPE, Subsidy law, Intellectual Property Rights, Construction law, etc.)
Kirklees Council offers these benefits to all its employees:
- 28.5 days annual leave increasing to 32.5 after 5 years' service (plus bank holidays).
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Travel and parking discounts.
- Exceptional Maternity and Paternity leave policies.
- Local Government Pension.
- Access to Employee Healthcare that offers a range of services from counselling to physiotherapy and health assessments.
- Hybrid working.
Principal Lawyer - Contracts and Commercial in Bradford employer: Kirklees Council
Contact Detail:
Kirklees Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Lawyer - Contracts and Commercial in Bradford
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the legal field! Attend local events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help land that dream job.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to meet potential employers or colleagues, make sure to highlight your experience in commercial contracts and public procurement law. We want to see you confidently discussing your past projects and how they relate to the role at Kirklees Council. It’s all about making that connection!
✨Prepare for Interviews
Do your homework before any interview! Research Kirklees Council and their recent projects, especially in the Contracts and Commercial Team. We suggest preparing some thoughtful questions to ask them too – it shows you’re genuinely interested and engaged.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we’ve got loads of resources to help you along the way, so take advantage of that and let’s get you into that Principal Lawyer role!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Lawyer - Contracts and Commercial in Bradford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience in Commercial Contracts and UK Public Procurement law. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant projects you've worked on!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves supervising other senior lawyers, it’s important to demonstrate your leadership abilities. Share examples of how you’ve led teams or projects in the past, and how you can contribute to our positive team environment.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language and structure your thoughts logically. We appreciate a well-organised application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and enthusiasm.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at Kirklees Council!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kirklees Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of local government law and public procurement. Familiarise yourself with recent changes in legislation and be ready to discuss how they impact the role. This shows that you're not just qualified, but genuinely interested in the field.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work that highlight your experience in commercial contracts and any relevant areas like TUPE or construction law. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and make them impactful.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Since this role involves supervising other senior lawyers, be ready to talk about your leadership style and experiences. Share examples of how you've successfully led a team or managed complex projects, emphasising your ability to foster collaboration and support others.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, ongoing projects, and the council's approach to legal challenges. This not only shows your enthusiasm for the role but also helps you gauge if the environment is the right fit for you.
